Toure lauds Mancini influence

Yaya Toure believes Roberto Mancini deserves ‘full credit’ for taking Manchester City from eight points adrift of Manchester United in the title race to the brink of their first league crown in more than 40 years.

City recorded a difficult win over top four hopefuls Newcastle on Sunday to move within one win of their first ever Premier League title, with Toure bagging a brace in the last 20 minutes of the game at the Sports Direct Arena to secure all three points.

With a superior goal difference than their rivals a win against Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday would secure the Citizens’ first league title since 1968, and Toure believes that if they achieve that feat, Mancini deserves his fair share of praise.

“Full credit to Mancini – an unbelievable boss," the midfielder said. "He always believed in us, he always tries to tell us: 'Guys you have to believe in yourselves Man United can drop some points. The most important thing is that you have to keep on winning games.' And if we keep on winning we feel United can drop some points enough for us. And we did it.”

City will look to end their season on a high not only with the league trophy in tow, but also with an almost flawless home record.

Mancini’s side haven’t lost at the Etihad Stadium since December 2010 and boast a record of 17 wins and one draw in front of their home fans this term.

Toure is keen to emphasise the size of the task which confronts them on Sunday despite their impressive home record, with former City manager Mark Hughes leading his QPR side out at the Etihad with revenge on his mind following his controversial departure from the club in 2009.

"[We are] very happy but I think the job is not done yet we have to continue to win and look after Sunday," the former Barcelona midfielder said.

"It will be amazing [to win the title] because it's for that I come to City, to make history and I hope I will make this history the next week. But we know its going to be tough against QPR because they need the points."

Toure’s goals against Newcastle could prove to be the defining moment of City’s season after he broke the deadlock following 70 nervy minutes with a fine strike past Newcastle ‘keeper Tim Krul, before adding a second a minute before time.

"Yeah that was very important, but brilliant I think not, because I scored a more brilliant goal in Barcelona,” Toure said of his two goals.

“But I think it was amazing [as it was a] very important game for the title race but I think I get lucky to be in the right time to score this important goal for my team."

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